Long time wi outta grass deh a look it
Lef′ di track, come back man dem sey fi leff it
Long time wi outta grass a look it
Come back brand new school dem a mash it
But a flash wi come fi flash it, wi come fi flash it
A mash wi come fi mash it, wi come fi mash it
Ram wi come fi ram it, wi come fi ram it
A jum' wi come fi jum' , wi come fi jum′
A run wi come fi run it, wi come fi run it.
- inspired by the song, "Come fi mash it", by Tony Tuff
Alumni and Friends:
Two weeks ago the Eagle Eye alerted you to the impending flight of the Eagles from their eyrie at "137" up to Independence Park where they would descend and engage in 5 days of an athletics contest called Champs. Out of a sense of tranquility and not wanting to cause any pre-meet turmoil The Tall Eagle deliberately didn't warn you of the forthcoming upheaval.
The XLCR Eagles descended as predicted and did they put on a show? It's as if they were making up for the 50 years of being out of the top contenders category. In short, they were the talk of Champs, with some commentators, both on TV and in the Stadium simply and affectionately referring to them as the Eagles. All and sundry knew that they were referring to the Excelsior teams.
At the end of the Championships many things were clear, among them:
The Eagles had finished 4th in Boys Champs amassing 122 points - the best performance in 50 years.
The Lady Eagles were 8th in Girls Champs with 64 points
Excelsior concluded the championships as the number two coed school.
The XLCR Eagles brand has taken root, and while not winning the overall championship our student-athletes have won the hearts of the spectators and commentators alike. Many people have commented on the humble manner in which the XLCR athletes accepted and celebrated their victories.
An XLCR Eagle had captured the Blue Riband event - the Class 1 Boys 100m for the first time since Canute Godfrey did so in 1973.
At Champs 2015 The Eagles could only muster 16 points for 16th place on the teams rankings; the Lady Eagles did marginally better finishing 15th with 31 points. This year's results indicate the level of development and growth of the programme over the past 10 years.
Damor (left) with Lennon Green (Right)
Here are the XLCR medal winners:
Damor Miller - stole the hearts of Excelsorians and other T&F fans when he won the 100m Class 1 Title in 10.34, a new school record. His performance, coming early in the championships set the stage and motivated his teammates to the excellent performances that were to come.
Demarco Bennett had the stadium buzzing with excitement when he powered home in the final of the 400m Class 2 in 46.91. Most were taken by surprise, but not his teammates, coaches, or discerning Eagles fans.
The following day Bennett was back at it again over the same distance, but this time with 10 barriers to negotiate. He did not disappoint, claiming victory in 51.70, just 0.26s off the Champs record. For his exploits Demarco was chosen as one of three Male Class 2 Champions and a Male Overall Champion.
Malike Nugent - overcame a sluggish start to come from behind and claim silver in the 100m Class 2
The Class 2 Boys Sprint Relay Team of Michael Graham, Malike Nugent, Demarco Bennett and Riquelme Reid which completed the stadium oval in 40.35, a mere 5 hundreths of a second off the record and a time good enough to have taken 3rd in the Class 1 equivalent.
Daneil Wright's amazing stretch rrun to come from 4 places down to eke out a 3 hundreths of a second victory in the 400mH Class 1.
The Boys 1600m Sprint Medley Relay team of Kishawn Hoffman, Shavon Fenderson, James Harrison and Keandro Gordon was involved in one of the most dramatic battles of the Championships, with the Eagles gaining silver by 0.33 secs over third place KC.
The Lady Eagles shone brightest in the throwing circles with Kahllian Bailey and Altonique James eventually occupying the top 2 rungs on the podium during the awards ceremony of the Shot Put Class 1, a first for XLCR.
Najhada Seymoure added the Discus Throw Class 1 title to the Class 2 crown she won 2 years ago.
Nicqora Nelson ran a spirited and very tenacious race to gain a bronze medal in the 70mH Class 3.
Demarco
Malike
Kahlliah & Altonique
Congratulations to all Eagle medal winners, points contributors, and indeed team members. Kudos to the esteemed Eagles coaching staff. These coaches and student-athletes have made great sacrifices to prepare and represent Excelsior High, doing so with remarkable distinction.
Najhada
Special mention must be made of the Lady Eagles captain, Omarian Constable, who after a mishap in the Girls Open Heptathlon 100mH, resulting in her gaining zero points for that speciality, fought valiantly and gracefully in the other 6 disciplines to finish 9th overall. Ms Constable displayed the true Lady Eagle spirit.
Omarion :leading the pack in the Heptathlon 800m
To cap these fine performances, the Excelsior Student Council hosted the team at devotion where there was a rousing and at times raucous celebration of their Champs achievements, following which there was a parade around the school playfield, including the cadet band. The green and gold school spirit of Excelsior High is on the rise once again.
Daneil (c) powering his way to Gold in the 400mH Class 1; teammate Richaed Hall is at left
Thanks to all those who made the Eagles Champs experience possible, including Principal Bromfield, VP Rev Michael Lewis, other members of staff - teaching, management & ancillary. Fielding 2 reams the sizes of the XLCR contingent at Champs is a herculean task, with contributions from dozens of persons who work diligently in the backroom to make it all happen. Thanks to the management team, the parents, volunteers, cook, driver, carpenter, plumber, doctors, security and so many others.
Special thanks to our corporate sponsors, Manpower Maintenance Services, Grace Kennedy, Cal's Manufacturing and Source Technology. Last but certainly not least thanks to you, Excelsorians and Friends of XLCR who contributed resources to the cause, without which the programme would have been still-born.
Congratulations to our friends at KC for retaining the Mortimer Geddes Trophy and to Edwin Allen on their Girls Champs triumph. Incidentally Mortimer Geddes was one of the coaches of the 1960 XLCR team that won Boys Champs. Thanks to all those who called and/or sent messages of congratulations on the Eagles performances, in particular former KC athletes, footballers, basketballers, etc who all expressed their felicity on XLCR's success. They all recalled the days when both schools were rivals on the various fields of play, but very good friends once the competitions concluded, and are looking forward to a renewed rivalry between the two schools.
The Eagles may have returned to their nest at Antrim but soon and very soon they intend to take flight and once again take over.
We're gonna take over now
We're gonna take over now
'Cause we know that our time has come
Yes, we know that our time has come
And we know we must wear the crown
Yes, we know we must wear the crown
Nothing really happens, Before the time
Nothing can't really happen, Before the time
That's how I know That we're gonna take over now
- From the song, "I Am Going To Take Over" by The Ethiopians
XLCR's Powerhouse Class 2 Sprint Relay Team: Malike, Riquelme, Demarco, Michael
Keandro Gordon battles his way to a Silver Medal for the Sprint Medley Relay team
Next up for the Eagles are the Penn Relays where the Eagles are expected to contest the:
Boys sprint and 4x400m Relays
Girls 4x400mR
Girls Shot Put
Girls Discus Throw
As can be gleaned from their Champs results, these are events that XLCR has opportunities of excelling in Pennsylvania. In fact the student-athletes intend to put on a show for the XLCR community and their friends in particular those on the US East Coast. They however do need your assistance in getting them, their coaches, chaperone and manager to Philly, and to house & feed them. Please contribute!
Eagles & Lady Eagles Medallists & Points Scorers - Champs 2024 Being Introduced at Devotion
A section of the Excelsior Student Body at Devotion for the Champs 2024 Celebration
For videos and interviews of the Eagles, please visit and subscribe to the Excelsior Eagles TV Channel on Youtube at:
The Tall Eagle
© Desmond Karl Shakespeare
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